The economy has softened. The housing market has crashed in many areas of the country. The price of everything from gas to food continues to increase. There are some hard times out there. Obviously, the gloomy headlines are everywhere. People that were already living on the financial edge are at their witt’s end. The next coming crisis – credit cards. Instead of taking equity out of homes for cash, people have returned to using credit cards to make ends meet and unsecured debt is skyrocketing. Over the next few months, you’re going to start hearing much more about how the credit card situation is worsening. It’s going to get tougher before it gets better… It’s just the pattern we’re in…

But, if you’re observant…. If you can spot trends… If you listen to what’s happening in your community, your town, your state, your country, you can find new opportunities to do well economically even when it seems like it’s all going downhill. These opportunties are out there whether you’re tuned into them or not. Here are just a couple of thoughts to ponder if you’re wondering what you’re going to do…

1. If gas prices are high and people can’t afford to drive their cars to work, are there new opportunites to support people who set up home-based offices or businesses as more people look for ways to not spend so much on gas? I predict you’ll hear much more about this in the coming months as oil prices rise to even higher levels and more people get creative to work from home or start home-based businesses.

2. In some parts of the country, there is a shortage of people trained to install solar panels. There are more jobs out there than are workers (especially out west). If you have any kind of construction or engineering experience, what can you do to take advantage of the fast-growing wave of “green” energy companies? Billions in investment money are being poured into green energy technology right now. There are hundreds of start-up companies trying to figure out creative ways to power this country without oil. Some of these companies will become energy titans over the next few years with lots of jobs being created in these realitively new industries. Keep your eye on this. How can you take advantage of this now? Google search “jobs in green energy”. Can you start a business to train people for these new “green” jobs?

3. If so many people are losing their homes to foreclosure, where will they live? If you like real estate, owning rental units may be something to investigate. In your community, is there a need to supply housing to families who have lost their homes and are needing a new roof over their heads? If they can’t buy, they’ll rent or lease…

Begin asking yourself questions about the needs and opportunites of which you can take advantage in your community. Some are going to start new businesses in this down economy and will thrive. Can you be one of them? What other opportunties do you see out there in this ever-changing economic environment?